QR Codes, NFC, and Non-Profits

After reviewing articles about QR codes, NFC codes and mobile payments, and the social media habits of moms, I’m excited to brainstorm about the possible uses of these applications for non-profits.

Quick Refresher:  I’m working with Southwest Youth and Family Services, a non-profit that focuses on family outreach in White Center and West Seattle.

Mobile Payments

I lived in Japan back in 2004, when their version of NFC and QR codes were baked into every phone on the market.  Mobile payments were a great way to buy things like Coca Cola from vending machines and impulse purchases, even if you didn’t have cash.  I think this presents a great opportunity to gather donations and to capture personal information to join a mailing list, particularly at public events.  Imagine passing by the SWYFS booth at the West Seattle Fair, waving your phone at an NFC bar or QR barcode, and automatically be added to a mailing list and donate $5.  It removes one more barrier to getting involved.

Square Reader

One thing that I think is amazing is the Square Reader, which basically turns any iPad or iPhone into a mobile credit card processing system.  One of the major fundraisers for SWYFS is an annual auction.  Instead of writing a check or having to write down people’s credit card information, imagine being able to walk up and swipe their credit card, and at the same time capture their information for your fundraiser database. 

Moms and Social Networks

I think SWYFS has tremendous appeal to mothers, particularly moms in West Seattle that want to get involved in their communities.  Imagine having flyers about SWYFS fundraisers or fun community events, with a QR code on the bottom that links to a Facebook event.  Instead of having to remember to write down the information, or manually adding it to their calendar on their smartphone, grabbing all of that information with two clicks of your phone.

Here’s a quick example, for those with a QR reader: